Run Committed

Vibram Bikila – Product Review

Yesterday I picked up a pair of the new Vibram Bikila. They weren’t supposed to be in the stores until this morning, but when I called to find out what time they thought they would be coming in, I was told they had just received a small shipment. They had received one pair in my size. I asked the salesperson to hold on to them and that I’d be there in 10 minutes.

I was there in 5.

The moment I slipped them onto my feet, I knew this was going to be my new favorite shoe. I have run in Vibram Sprints, KSO’s and Treks. All were great for running in, but these Bikilas fit nice and snug. They feel fast. I jogged lightly from one end of the store to the other, “testing” them out. I really didn’t need to…I just wanted to show them off. Now that they were on my feet, I didn’t care if someone else with my foot size showed up. I mentioned to the salesperson that I was happy that I had called because I knew had I waited until this morning, I would have been told that they had just sold the one pair they had in my size. These shoes are selling like hotcakes. On Thursday, CitySports put about 150 pair up online. They were gone in 20 minutes.

I brought them home and showed them to my family. They were unimpressed, and quite honestly, I guess I could understand. I never was into the Air Jordan craze. I never understood the hysteria. Now I do. I’ve been itching for a pair of Bikila since I first heard about them. The fact that I could play with but not purchase them at the Boston Marathon Expo killed me.

Anyway, after dinner I went for my first run in them.

Over the course of my 3 mile run, I took them over a variety of terrain, including road, sidewalk, grass and brush. The Bikila performed perfectly in all conditions. The only place I might hesitate taking them is on truly off road terrain, but quite honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised it they handled that decently as well. During my run I was able to feel the ground beneath as well as I could in my Sprints, but still get some traction like I do in my Treks. One of the reasons why I had switched to Treks in my long runs had been the fact that after 5 – 6 miles in my Sprints I would often feel the bottoms of my feet heating up a bit. That doesn’t happen in my Treks (at least not in runs 26.2 miles or shorter) and based on the feel of the Bikila, I don’t anticipate that happening with them either.

As I mentioned earlier, these Vibrams feel fast when you put them on. These truly feel like a second skin to me, unlike my previous Vibrams that in comparison, feel like loose fitting gloves. The tread on the Bikila is like a cross between the KSO’s/Sprints and the Treks. Thick enough to feel like you’ve got some traction and protection, but light enough to feel the road completely. As I went out for my run, I told myself to go slow. My legs are still recovering from my 2 Marathons in 2 Weeks Adventure and I had originally planned on waiting until Monday to start running again. Of course, with the Bikila in hand, I wasn’t about to NOT run. So I went out with the intention of running a slow 3 miler.

These shoes don’t want to go slowly. Your feet just want to go in them and mine did. After starting off with an 8+ minute mile, I covered the last 2 miles in 15 minutes, without any realization that I was running that fast. Had you asked me to guess my pacing, I would have told you I ran 8 minute miles the whole way. For those of you who are not runners, but have made it this far in my review, a 30 second difference per mile is NOT insignificant. It is huge.

When I arrived home, I didn’t do my usual routine of ripping off my shoes immediately after the run. I had to leave them on. HAD to. That’s because not only do they feel fast, and not only do they have the perfect balance of tread on the soles, they are comfortable. I mean cozy! The feet feel great in them. If I wasn’t moderately self-conscious, I would wear then 24/7 – from dropping off the kids at school, to going to the grocery store, taking the kids to their various activities – I would wear them everywhere – and then I’d run in them. Unfortunately, I am a little shy when it comes to wearing them for anything but running, but that’s a Luau problem, not a Bikila problem.

I feel bad for my other Vibrams. I haven’t worn the Sprints since last fall, and the KSO have only been pulled out a couple times over the last few month. I thought I had found my perfect Vibram in my Treks. They are a great running shoe, especially during the cold winter months up here in the Northeast, but they too are about to be relegated to being a back-up player. The Bikila’s have taken the best from each of the previous models and improved upon them. These shoes were obviously made with the runner in me in mind. The Bikila are truly the runner’s Vibram Five Finger shoe. I am sure you will feel the same.

My new favorite running shoe – The Vibram Bikila!

I need YOUR contributions to a project that I’m working on. Interested?

All you need to do is send me a paragraph or two telling me why you run and/ or why you think others should run. E-mail it to me at “runluaurun at gmail dot com” (written out so the bots don’t start sending me spam).

If you can, please include a picture of your favorite running shoes and tell me what kind of shoes they are. Also, please let me know how you would like to be referenced (real name, nickname, pseudonym, etc) just in case this project actually ever sees the light of day.

The more responses I get, the sooner I can put it all together, so please don’t be shy about forwarding this to your running friends and spreading the word.

You and Clynton are absolutely right. After my initial run there were no hot spots on my feet that always lead to the inevitable initial blister. In all of my previous running shoes (VFF’s or regular) I always had a little bit of a break in period. Not the case with the Bikila’s.

I’m definitely going to test out some VFF’s after the Run to Remember. Don’t want to make any big changes just before that though. Which model would you recommend for someone just starting out with VFFs?

Just took mine out for my first run in them and I couldn’t agree more. These shoes beg you to run fast and run right. I can’t imagine running in anything else. But I won’t relegate my kso’s to the closet. They are now my around town shoes since they are solid black and don’t stand out as much. I’m sure you could get away with the same thing with your treks.

Hey – thanks for the info. Let me ask you – you said you didn’t know how the Bikilas would do on trails. I have the classics & while I don’t run, I spend a fair amount of time in the woods. Problem with the classics is that the top of your feet get scratched by underbrush. I’ve been impatiently waiting for the women treks to come out, but now the bikilas are out. You have them both. in your experience, which is better for wandering the woods? is the trek stiff or too much tread? Is the bikila durable enough for woods? thanks

Susan – I think that the Treks would make more sense for walking in the woods, but if you’ve been happy with your Classics, you should consider the KSO (literally stands for Keeps Stuff Out). I found that when I was running in my KSO’s through any brush, they did a very good job of doing just that. The Treks definitely have a heartier sole so you “feel” a little less of the ground. Personally, if I were running an off-road race, I’d be doing it in my Treks not my Bikilas.

I’ve been running in Flows since last fall, but the soles of my feet tend to get slightly sore after running, and it has been limiting my mileage. I’ve been playing with the idea of a new pair of running shoes, perhaps racing flats. I want a bit more coushin, but I don’t want any more support. Do you think the Bikilas are a good option? I do love my Flows regardless!

I couldn’t agree more with all of your points of praise for this style. The Bikilas are the first and only Vibrams I’ve tried, so I can’t comment on differences between the styles, but these seem like the perfect balance. I LOVE them. I went to REI to pick some up on a whim one afternoon a few weeks ago (and am very lucky that they are apparently not as popular among women with small feet), and I haven’t wanted to take them off since. They just feel like their part of you when you’re wearing them. The only thing I’m having difficulty with is not overdoing it while getting used to the minimal style!

I’m trying to decide between buying the Treks and the Bikila and was hoping you could elaborate more on the differences. You said that you used to think that the Treks were the perfect Vibrams, but you now like the Bikila’s better and I would like to know what specifically makes them better than the Treks.

For my use, I’m going to be doing mostly jogging on sidewalks, but also some dirt trails. Also, I should say part of my reason for my dilemma is that I think the Brown Treks just look good as a shoe and I wouldn’t mind wearing them casually around town. I’ve also heard that the Bikilas are loose in the heel.

Thanks for your post. I am currently running in KSOs and while I love them to death, they still give me blisters in 2 areas of each foot, in the inner arch area. I have ran approx. 60-70 miles in them and they have not “broken in”.

Does you think the Bikilas will be better? I have been told that perhaps I should tighten the band so everything is snug – but not sure it has helped at all.

Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

PS – I also bought a pair of the EVO (Terraplana) that don’t work for me as after a short 3 miler, blisters formed on all the tips of my toes. Unfortunately the company won’t take returns! Such a rip off.

Susan – thank you for the visit! I had some blister issues on the inner arch when I ran in KSO’s as well. I did find that after the initial blistering, if I wore moleskin for 2 or 3 runs thereafter, the skin would heal and it would not blister again…until I got a new pair (which was usually about 200 – 400 miles later or if a new color scheme came out). I did not blister at all with the bikilas and I’m partially convinced that is the case because they fit much more like a sock does as opposed to a sandal. If you’re not ready to buy a pair of bikilas, I’d try the moleskin for a couple of days and see what happens. Good luck!

I just tried on my first Vibrams and the store just happened to only have Bikilas available in my size (womens 37). I loved the way they felt right away — but as I had my heart set on a KSO Trek, I still felt as though I needed to try a KSO Trek pair on. After reading your review though Luau, I think I will buy the Bikilas pair after all! I can’t wait for my next run/walk. I usually run/walk about 14-15 miles over the weekend on a paved trail in the park in NYC (and run on the treadmill about a total of 10 miles during the week) and my sneakers just feel so heavy. I hope the switch to Bikilas will help me walk/run even further!

Glad you tried them on! They are definitely a comfortable “shoe”. I don’t think you could’ve gone wrong with either choice. They are my two favorite VFF’s because they give you just enough tread without sacrificing that barefoot feel. Enjoy ’em! Keep an eye out for the blue Bikilas at the NYC Marathon this fall – that’s what I’ll be wearing!

I’ll be looking for you at the NYC Marathon this fall luau — we should get together a group of people who aren’t running to cheer you on every step of the way (while wearing our Vibrams of course). I’m getting my pair of Bikilas today — very exciting. The store that’s selling them to me will allow me to actually run in them and test them out and return for a full refund or exchange them if they don’t work out. I’m sure I will LOVE my first run in these shoes… No more sneakers for me!

Enjoyed your description of Bikilas…especially the “stress fracture” issue. I got some KSO’s last Dec, then a “stress fracture” in Jan, then 7 weeks off, then VERY slow build up. Got up to 16 miles 3 weeks ago in my KSO’s in training for a Nov. marathon. Everything was going well then I got some Bikilas.
Now I have that pain on the top of my foot but not if I run or walk or jump, just when I press on it. And have some general foot aches that I never had before with the KSO’s. Do you think it just takes some getting used to for the Bikilas (like any new shoe would) or am I just at a point where I need to back off my training a bit. I was worried I was getting the early signs of a stress fracture (altho my first sf was sudden) but now after reading what you went through, I am hoping it is just a sore tendon and 2-3 weeks off will be enough. What do you think? Since what you had was really a tendon issue and not a sf, in hindsight, could you have been ok with less time off than 3 weeks? I really want to get to marathon distance with VFF’s and I am willing to ramp up more slowly but hate to do that if it is not necessary. Thanks for any advice you may have.

Margie – I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a tendon issue. The Bikilas provide more tread than the KSO’s and therefore allow for greater toe-ing off. From what I understand, it’s this toe-ing off that places greater stress on the tendons on the top of the foot. In retrospect, I do think I could have cone back more quickly, but make sure you listen to your foot. If you come back earlier, try running at a slower pace. Mixing in a salt bath soak can’t hurt either.

Also, I’d throw out there that depending on when your November marathon is, you can take 10-14 days off from training without an adverse affect to your training. You just pick up where you would be had you continued.

I realize this is is a longshot after 4 months, but I’m
recovering from some significant top-of-foot pain and I’ve started
to think flexibility issues with the VFF Bikila might be to blame.
To summarize, the sole of the Bikilas, especially where the toes
attach, is too stiff. I can barely lift (dorsiflex) my toes off the
ground in those shoes. I believe I gradually pulled/strained my
foot muscles/tendons by trying to lift my toes with each step. I’ve
been running in VFF Sprints or barefoot for about 8 months and have
felt great. As it got colder, I switched to the Bikilas and then my
feet started hurting. I posted some more detailed notes and a video
on my site here: http://joemaller.com/2618/hurt-feet/

Thanks for the post. I hope to run the Huntington WV marathon on Nov 7 (yeah same day as NYC which I ran in 2007, one of the more memorable days of my life!!) . So after your post I ran a 17 miler but in my regular running shoes, thinking I would give that tendon a rest from toeing off. I did it without any pain, still no pain except when I press on it…and it actually hurts a little less. I will go back to Bikilas this week, focus on not toeing off, scheduled an acupuncture treatment, and hope for the best. I figure if it only hurts when I press on it, then I will stop pressing on it. DUH!! Sounds like I am such a wimp…oh, no, a pain!!….but after a stress fracture last Jan where the doc pressed on the top of my foot next to a little bone and it hurt like crazy I just don’t want to go there again (and the resulting 6-8 weeks off).

I just bought my first pair of Vibram’s today. I was told by the salesperson that the Bikila is definitely the one to go for. After getting home from work, I immediately squeezed them on and went for a 5km run. Now I know what all the fuss is about, these shoes are amazing!

1. Does anybody have problems getting your toes in the correct toe holes? It took me like 20 minutes to get them on…does it take this long every time?

2. The primary purpose for these (for me) is to run marathons. I’m currently at a 4 hour time, and I’m trying to get a Boston qualifying time this year….can I do that in these shoes? I don’t see a ton of fast marathon stories.

I tried a pair of the Bikilas today but they felt too snug compared to my Kso’s — is this normal to go up a size? Heather,the more you wear them the easier the toes slip in– I love mine and would wear all the time if I could!

Hi Luau, I want to get my first pair of VFFs (probably Bikila), and don’t know whether to use socks. I run in Melbourne, Australia in temperature ranges from 45-95 F on a mixture of soft and hard surfaces. Any advice?

Hey! Thanks for the question! I personally am not a fan of the socks with the Vibrams, especially the Bikilas. I tried the injinji socks with my VFF Treks last winter and I didn’t feel it made a huge difference. With your low at around 45°F, I would think you wouldn’t need socks (though I generally wear flip flops until there’s snow on the ground).
I would suggest if you are susceptible to the cold, then get the Bikilas for the summer and the Treks for the winter. As long as you run on your mid- to fore-foot, the surface you run on shouldn’t matter too much. Good luck! Let me know what you decide.

Hi Robbie,
Thanks for you question. Your video seems to be limited to private users only. On the blister note, I have found that in wearing any new pair of Vibrams I suffered mild blister initially the first time I wore them. I would then cover them with band-aids for the next run and I would be fine by my third.

Hi Robbie, I’ve been running in the Bikilas exclusively for the last 2 months, doing between 40-50k per week, mostly on hard surfaces. These are my first VFFs and I’ve had zero blisters. I experimented with the Injinji socks, but found the feedback coming from the ground into my feet was much more pleasurable without the socks. I guess if your blisters persist you could try the socks, or use some second skin on the blister-prone areas. I have a mate who rubs moisturiser onto his blisters to soften the skin, which, according to him, helps prevent them from recurring. Good luck!

I have not yet purchased a pair of Bikilas to replace my VFF Classics, but I wanted to chime on my experience with blisters and VFFs. In the first month of using using VFF Classics I always get blisters on the insides of both feet near the toe box on every run. I finally got used to just putting a small strip of duct tape on my feet in the area where it rubs. I’ve never had any problems or even minor irritation since. The one time I forgot tape when I was traveling I got blisters again in the same spots on both feet after only a 3-mile run.

Blistering with VFF probably has a lot to do with individual foot shape, but it’s good to know that it’s not that uncommon.

I just got my pair of bikilas in the mail today. I was really looking forward to wearing them on my run, but I think they’re a bit too big… going to the store and switching them would be an easy enough solution, but the closest rei (where I purchased mine from) is an hour away. 😦 so I was wondering… you said you own a pair of sprints as well right? Are your bikilas the same size as your sprints or are they a size smaller? Im thinking about exchanging them through the mail rather than driving to my local (but far) rei. Thanks in advance for your help!

Jen – my Bikilas were the same size as my Sprints (and in fact were a little tight). I’m not sure what the reason would be for the size difference. I found that the Bikilas felt best when they were snug on the feet – though you don’t want them to feel like compression socks. If you have the patience, I’d say save yourself the drive and exchange them by mail. The nice thing is you have the Sprints and you can continue to run in them. Sorry I can’t be of more help. – Luau

Hi Luau, I’m in HS and I was thinking about getting the Bikila LS’s for cross country next year. I was wondering which would you prefer for doing cross country, the TrekSport or the Bikila LS? Im starting to really like the Bikila LS a REAL lot from yours and other peoples reviews, and really want them for cross country now. I just dont know which pair to get. I do indoor track and regular track also and would probably use the same shoes as i did for cross country. I really need your input. Thanks.

Chris,
Thanks for your question. I would say that you should try both pairs on before you make a decision regarding cross country. My gut reaction when I read your question was to lean toward the Trek, in part because they are a touch thicker and when running through cross country terrain, I imagine that a little extra padding and traction could be useful. If your cross country races are predominantly on roads, I think it comes down to a comfort thing. Which shoe feels better on your feet? The less you have to think about your feet mid-race, the better.

As for the track season, when I ran track in HS, we usually wore spikes for the extra traction (even our 2-milers). I never did do indoor track though, so I don’t know what kind of tracks you run on indoors.

Good luck. Let me know which way you decide. (another shoe to check out might be the Saucony Hattori – they come out next week)

Thank you for your answer. I’ll make sure to try both pairs on. But i’m trying to convince my parents to get me the VFF’s and it’s somewhat tough because my dad believes/thinks that it would eventually be hard on your body and stuff. So i’m trying to find all of these articles on how good the shoes are even for long distances over long periods of time and how there are no harmful consequences on your body in the long run.

Hmm. Ok. So, a couple of questions – How far do you run these days in HS Cross Country on race day? Back when I was your age we only ran 3 miles. Also, how far are you running during the week? Your dad is correct in one sense in that IF you do not gradually transition into minimalist shoes, you WILL injure yourself. It’s not a question of “if” but “when”. The key is to make sure you transition slowly and intelligently. Something to consider is A) transitioning into the Vibrams so you are able to run race distances in them but B) continuing to also use your more normal shoe during the week as your every day trainers. You can think of the Vibrams as almost a racing flat. What do you race with on race day? When I was in HS we all ran in the cool shoe of the time which was the Waffle Racer – like the Vibrams (or any other racing flat for that matter) there was not a lot to the shoe. We didn’t train in them more than once or twice a week and it was usually for shorter runs. It does take a couple of months for your legs to truly get used to the barefootish experience, but if done right, you actually are probably being softer on your body than you would be with regular shoes. I’ve personally reached a point where I wear the Saucony Kinvaras for my marathons because my form tends to fall apart after about 15 – 18 miles (they are a good transition shoe by the way). One other place to check is my buddy Pete over at http://www.runblogger.com He writes a lot about form and physiology. Good luck.

Thank you, that helps alot. On race days for cross country, we do 3.1 miles. If I DID get the VFF’s, I would get them during the beginning of the summer and gradually work my way into them. Only running very short distances in them to get my body used to them. I wasnt planning on going crazy right when i got them and run a 5k, I dont want to injure myself before cross country. I’m a sophomore and this was my first year of cross country and track so I didnt know much about the two sports, only that I would run alot, which is what I like to do. In cross country, I would practice in Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 13 and would race in them too. They are very comfortable and light to me. Other people would race in cross country spikes, but I wasn’t to big on that because there was usually a bit of asphalt that we would have to run on during the races. I’ll make sure to check out his blog also, Thanks.

Josh – I suppose it all depends on comfort. I would say that the Bikilas are probably a little more limited in terms of wider feet, however, the Sprints and KSO’s are probably more forgiving. Your best bet is to try a pair on at a store and walk around a little in them.

Josh – if you have a wide foot I would suggest the Salomon Trail Glove instead. The Trail Glove is almost exactly the same as the Bilika only the toes are not seperated and the tox box is very wide. The Trail Glove has a Vibram sole just like the Bilika. I own both and recommend th eSalomon Trail Glove any day over the Bilika. You wont be disappointed!